WALTHAM, Mass . – The No. 11 Bentley women's basketball team prepares for the NCAA East Regional in New Haven, where the #2 seed Falcons take on #7 seed Mercy Friday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. Top-seeded Southern Connecticut is hosting the East Regional.
 
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Not done yet
Bentley had won four consecutive Northeast 10 Tournament titles before losing to Southern Conn., 59-50, in Waltham this past weekend (March 8). Still, the Falcon program earned its 40^th NCAA Championship bid.
 
Defend the title
Bentley sets out to defend its 2024-25 East Regional title. In last year's regional, the Falcons beat New Haven, Saint Anselm, and Holy Family to advance to the NCAA DII Elite Eight.
 
The eight from the East
In addition to #2 Bentley vs. #7 Mercy, the NCAA DII East Regional includes #1 Southern Conn. vs. #8 Saint Michael's, #3 Daemen vs. #6 Felician, and #4 Assumption vs. #5 Holy Family.
 
As in season opener, NCAA opener
Bentley's NCAA Championship schedule begins as its 2025-26 season opened: against Mercy, hosted by Southern Conn. The Falcons lost to Mercy, 63-60, in the season opener (Nov. 15). Bentley shot a season-worst 17.4-percent from 3-point range, but still managed to keep within a possession of Mercy. Julia Elie scored 13 points, Niya Morgen scored 12 points, and freshman Cherish Bryant scored 10 points off the bench in her collegiate debut.
 
In C we trust
Bentley head coach C White was named the NE10 Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, as this year's squad posted a 17-1 conference record to win the NE10 regular season crown. White's overall career record at the helm for Bentley is 123-31 (.799).  
 
All-that
In addition to C White's conference accolade, five Falcons earned All-NE10 honors.  Junior Niya Morgen was named to the All-NE10 First Team, and junior transfer Kayana Armbrister earned All-NE10 Second Team. Seniors Cassidy Yeomans and Julia Elie were placed on the All-NE10 Third Team, while Elie was also named to the NE10 All-Defensive Team. Cherish Bryant earned NE10 All-Rookie.
 
Almost a millennial
Although she's only a junior, Niya Morgen is just 27 points shy of reaching 1,000 points for her Bentley career.
 
O, Captain! My captain!
Senior captain Cassidy Yeomans made her 100^th career start in the NE10 Quarterfinal against Saint Michael's (March 5). For her career, the floor general has more than twice as many assists as she does turnovers.
 
Efficiency is key
Bentley leads the NE10 in field-goal percentage by making 44.1-percent of its shots from the floor. No other team is shooting better than 42.0-percent. Julia Elie (49.0-percent) has the top field-goal percentage in the NE10. Kayana Armbrister (47.6-percent) ranks fourth, and Cherish Bryant (46.4-percent) is sixth.
                                                 
Scouting Mercy (22-7)
Mercy was the top seed in the East Coast Conference tournament, but it lost to Daemen in the game, 73-68. Junior Grace Lesko was named the ECC Player of the Year, and Scott Lagas was named the ECC Coach of the Year. Amani Abuhatab joined Lesko on the All-ECC First Tea, and Aneglina Barrera was named to the All-ECC Second Team. Lesko enters the weekend averaging 18.4 points and 7.3 rebounds. Abuhatab averages 14.1 points, and Barrera averages 11.4.